Does Chime Work With Zelle? Here’s What You Need To Know
Zelle, a digital payments network that allows you to easily send and receive money to and from others in the network, is currently available in more than 2,100 banking apps. But what about the Chime® mobile app? Does Chime work with Zelle? After all, Chime* is a financial technology company that partners with the Bancorp Bank and Stride Bank to provide mobile banking services.
Here’s what you need to know to send and receive money using your Chime account.
Does Chime Work With Zelle?
Yes, the Chime Visa® Debit Card1 works with the Zelle app since it’s a Visa debit card, although you won’t find the Zelle service integrated into the Chime app itself. You can send money to or receive it from only those who use Zelle through their financial institution rather than the Zelle app. For any Zelle transaction, either the receiver or the sender must have Zelle access through a bank or credit union.
How Do You Use Zelle With Chime?
To use Zelle with Chime, you need to download the Zelle app, create a Zelle account and enroll your Chime debit card. Note that linking your Chime debit card to a Zelle account doesn’t allow you to send money through the Chime app. You can transfer funds via Zelle only by using Zelle’s app.
To create a Zelle account and enroll your Chime Visa Debit Card:
- Download the Zelle app.
- Follow the prompts to enter your contact information, email address and mobile number. You must have a U.S.-based mobile number that isn’t already linked to a Zelle account.
- Enter your Chime debit card information when prompted. Have your debit card handy to ensure you accurately enter your card number, expiration date and CVV number.
To send money via the Zelle app using your Chime Visa Debit Card:
- Look up the recipient’s contact information in your phone or enter it manually as prompted.
- Enter the amount you wish to send.
- Tap “Review” and confirm the amount. The money is deducted from your Chime account and sent to the recipient.
If your attempt to send or receive money with Zelle fails, your first thought may be, “Why is Zelle not working with Chime?” Remember that either the sender or the recipient must have access to Zelle through a U.S. bank or credit union rather than the app. As a Chime user, you won’t have access to Zelle through Chime, so confirm that the person on the other end of your transaction has Zelle access through a U.S.-based financial institution.
What Cards Work With Zelle?
You can link any U.S.-based Visa or Mastercard debit card to Zelle. You can’t use any credit card with Zelle or a debit card linked to an international bank account.
Does Chime Work With Venmo Like Zelle?
Yes, Chime debit cards work with Venmo. Just as you can link your Chime debit card to the Zelle app, you can add your Chime debit card to your Venmo account to send and receive money.
Can I Send and Receive Money With Chime?
If you have Chime and don’t want to deal with multiple apps to send and receive money, you can use Chime’s Pay Anyone feature, which works much the same as Zelle and Venmo. The recipient doesn’t need a Chime account, and you won’t incur any fees when using Pay Anyone.
To use Chime’s Pay Anyone feature to send money:
- Launch the Chime mobile app and log in.
- Go to the Pay Anyone tab.
- Search for or enter the recipient’s phone number or email address.
- Enter the amount.
- Confirm that the transaction information is correct.
- Tap “Pay Now.”
If the recipient is in the Chime network, they’ll receive the money instantly2. Non-Chime recipients have 14 days to collect their funds3.
Final Take
Although it is possible to use the Zelle app with your Chime debit card to send and receive money, you might find it easier to use Chime’s Pay Anyone feature rather than having separate accounts with Zelle, Venmo and other money transfer apps. Regardless of which money transfer app you use, a few safety guidelines can help you avoid falling victim to fraud:
- Send money to and receive money from only trusted sources.
- Verify that you’re using the recipient’s correct contact information when sending money to avoid sending it to the wrong person. Otherwise, there’s a chance you won’t get it back.
- Stay up to date on scams related to any money transfer app you use so you know how to avoid them.
*Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by, and debit card issued by, The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC
1Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
2Funds are automatically debited from your Checking Account and typically deposited into the recipient’s Checking Account within seconds. Pay Anyone transactions will be monitored and may be held, delayed or blocked if the transfer could result in fraud or another form of financial harm. Sometimes instant transfers can be delayed.
3Sometimes instant transfers can be delayed. The recipient must use a valid debit card to claim funds. Once you are approved for a Chime Checking Account, see your issuing bank’s Deposit Account Agreement for full Pay Anyone Transfers details. Please see the back of your Chime debit card for your issuing bank. See Terms and Conditions.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
